Op-Ed: Consumers, small businesses will lose if Illinois interchange law takes effect in July
By ASHLEY SHARP and BEN JACKSON A law called the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA) was passed by the Illinois Legislature last spring as part of a last-minute political deal. Now it’s set to take effect July 1 and will cause chaos for Illinoisans across the state. There is a reason it was rushed through…
Read MoreBudzinski to lead East St. Louis Town Hall event, addressing public education, loss of federal support
At 5 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 29, the Public Education Alliance, in partnership with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), National Education Association President Becky Pringle, and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, will host a Town Hall at East St. Louis Senior High School (4901 State Street, East St. Louis) to address the…
Read MoreOp-Ed: Public transit can’t wait; Illinois must act by May 31
By JOHN A. COSTA, FREDERICK D. REDMOND, ERIC DEAN and KAREN KENT Illinois is facing a crossroads when it comes to public transit. As the Illinois General Assembly approaches the critical May 31 deadline to secure funding for its public transit system, let’s be clear that this is not a light switch that can be…
Read MoreL&C Criminal Justice program debuts course: ‘Understanding Serial Killers’
The Criminal Justice department at Lewis and Clark Community College is offering a brand-new class titled “Understanding Serial Killers.” This course is available beginning in the fall 2o25 semester. CRMJ 145 Understanding Serial Killers is a study of serial murderers and their victims to facilitate an understanding of what might lead a person to…
Read MoreAmeren commits $1M for May 16 storm victims
Contributions focused on community recovery and assistance to impacted customers Ameren Corporation has announced a $1 million donation to assist in recovery efforts from the powerful storms and tornado that struck the St. Louis metropolitan region and surrounding areas on Friday, May 16, 2025. “These devastating storms struck at the heart of our communities, impacting…
Read MoreSBA issues reminder to Illinois small businesses, PNPs, of approaching disaster loan deadline
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Illinois of the June 20 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses due to severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring July 13-16, 2024. The disaster declaration covers the Illinois counties of…
Read MoreEdwardsville Police donate $1,680 to help provide shoes for students
The Edwardsville Police Department and Edwardsville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 244 are stepping in to offer a financial boost to a program aimed at providing shoes for area students in need. Officers and other department members recently donated $1,680 to benefit the Sole Purpose program, which is being overseen by Edwardsville Community Unit…
Read MoreTrump, McCormick say U.S. government to have control in Nippon-U.S. Steel deal
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] The Associated Press has reported that an arrangement has been made that will allow Japan-based Nippon Steel to invest in U.S. Steel rather than acquire it. Announced on Tuesday by U.S. Senator David McCormick, the arrangement calls for an American CEO, a majority of board members from…
Read MoreClinton County: Illinois 160 closure begins May 30, anticipated completion Aug. 12
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that a full closure of Illinois 160 from 3.1 miles south of U.S. 50 to 2.3 miles north of Illinois 161 will start, weather permitting, at 7 a.m. Friday, May 30, for box culvert and roadway repairs. All lanes of Illinois 160 will be closed to traffic for…
Read MoreIDOT awards $139.2M to enhance local transportation options statewide
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced that $139.2 million has been awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to expand local travel options and enhance quality of life in communities statewide. The 66 projects approved through ITEP include bike and pedestrian paths and trails, streetscape beautification and other projects designed to…
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